Store ordering system and apparatus



June 16, 1964 R. GOLDWATER ETAL 25,600

STORE ORDERING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original FiledApril 19, 1957 mmDOIum 3 000m ZwNOmm m Esme mmhzmo m m n 0 a w T Wm m Ma m ww 1 5 w k e n w m RF 83 -80 68 E65 v 26.5 H65 7 Y B mono None 68E65 65 H65 38 memo -80 I 6N0 E65 E65 E05 E08 86 v06 86 -06 565 $65 $65$65 Attorneys June 16, 1964 R. GOLDWATER ETAL 25,600

STORE ORDERING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original FiledApril 19, 1957 INVENTORS Robert Goldwater Frank B. Calhoun AttorneysJune 16, 1964 R. GOLDWATER ETAL 25,600

STORE ORDERING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed April 19, 1957 8Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Robert Goldwater F I g. 60 BY Frank B.Calhounf/A 9A.;

Attorneys June 16, 1964 R. GOLDWATER ETAL 25,600

STORE ORDERING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed April 19, 1957 8Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS Robert Goldwater Frank B. Calhoun AttorneysFig. 6b BY June 16, 1964 R. GOLDWATER ETAL 25,600

STORE ORDERING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed April 19, 1957 8Sheets-Sheet 8 29! (LP) 323-333 33 r-% 33 7 +48 VDC 248 +48 VDCINVENTORS Robert Goldwa fer BY Frank B. Calhoun Attorneys United StatesPatent STORE ORDERING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Robert Goldwater, Oakland,and Frank B. Calhoun, Fremont, Calif., assignors to Safeway Stores,Inc., Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Maryland Original No. 2,980,758,dated Apr. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 653,898, Apr. 19, 1957. Application forreissue Mar. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 262,280

Claims. (Cl. 178-4) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [1 appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates generally to a store ordering system andapparatus and in particular to store ordering machines for use in suchsystems.

In far-flung store chains such as grocery store chains, it is oftendesirable to provide means whereby the stores can rapidly ordermerchandise from widely separated warehouses or areas. Where perishablefoods such as fruit and vegetables are concerned, it is also desirableto expedite movement of the perishables to the stores as rapidly aspossible. .At the same time the orders are being placed by the stores,it is desirable to provide billing information to facilitate the keepingof accounting records. Systems and apparatus provided for such purposesmust not be unduly expensive. They also must be easy to operate tofacilitate rapid ordering with the least possible opportunuity foroperator error. Insofar as we are aware, no system or apparatus isavailable which fulfills these requirements.

In. general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storeordering system and apparatus which facilitates rapid ordering ofmerchandise with little opportunity for error.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. system and apparatus ofthe above character which at the same time provides billing informationAnother object of the invention is to provide a system and apparatus ofthe above character which operates in conjunction with a conventionalfive channel paper tape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel store orderingmachine for use in a store ordering system of the above character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character which automatically causes the heading for theorder to be punched on a five channel paper tape when a heading buttonis depressed and released.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character wherein the heading utilized includes the monthof the year, day of the month, and number of the store placing the orderand the number of the warehouse from which the commodities are beingordered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character in which the commodities desired can be easilyselected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character which automatically, upon depression and releaseof a commodity button, causes the code number of the selected commodityto be punched on the tape together with the page number of the orderguide page from which the commodity is selected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character in which the quantities desired of the commodityselected can be dialed to automatically cause the desired quantity to bepunched on the tape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character in which carriage returns, line feeds and figuresare caused to be automatically punched on the tape upon depression andrelease of push buttons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a store ordering machineof the above character which gives a warning signal when the bottom ofthe order page has been reached.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiment has been setforth in detail in con junction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram showing a typical store ordering system.

FIGURE 2A shows in block diagram form the equipment located in a typicalstore.

FIGURES 2B, 2C and 2D show in block diagram form the apparatus utilizedin conventional communication centers, warehouses and billing centersrespectively.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of our store ordering machine.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view with certain portions broken away,of our store ordering machine.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of our store ordering machine.

FIGURES 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show a circuit diagram of our store orderingmachine with certain parts schematically illustrated.

FIGURE 7 shows a portion of a typed order.

The store ordering system shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing consists of aplurality of stores 11 connected to a communications center 12 bysuitable electric circuit means such as the lines 13. As shown, one ormore stores can be connected to the same line because each store doesnot need continuous use of a line for reasons; hereinafter apparent. Thecommunication center 12 is connected to a plurality of warehouses 14 bysuitable electrical circuit means such as lines 16. The lines 16 leadingto the warehouses are connected by lines 17 to a. billing center 18.

Suitable apparatus is provided in each of the stores, in thecommunication center, in the billing center and in the Warehouses, asshown in FIGURES 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D. Thus, the apparatus in each of thestores can consist of a store ordering machine 18 which will hereinafterbe described in detail, a tape punch 19, a tape transmitter 21 and apage printer 22.

The tape punch can be of any suitable type for producing five channelpaper tape such as the model No. 2 motorized tape punch manufactured byCommercial Controls Corp. of Rochester, New York. The tape transmittercan also be of any suitable type adapted to receive five channel papertape such as the model No. 14 manufactured by the Teletype Corp. Thepage printer may be of any suitable type which is adapted to produce aprinted copy of the information sent through the tape transmitter suchas the model No. 15 manufactured by Teletype Corp.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, the tape transmitterproduces a series of pulses in the form of marks and spaces which can betransmitted over electrical circuit means as in this case the lines 13to the communication center 12. Each of the lines coming into thecommunication center are connected to a typing reperforator 23 and alsomay be of any suitable type such as one manufactured by Teletype Corp.The typing reperforator as is well known to those skilled in the artproduces a five channel paper tape from the information received on theline 13.

As soon as the five channel tapes are produced, the tapes are separatedinto strips for the various warehouses. The tapes are then fed into theautomatic transmitters 24 and the information on the tape is sent in theform of marks and spaces over the lines 16 to the respective warehouses.The pulses are received by a page printer 26 such as the model No. 15manufactured by the Teletype Corp. which is located at the warehouse. Asuitable printed record is produced by the page printer such as a threepart form hereinafter described.

The same information which is received by the warehouses is also sent tothe billing center and is received on a typing reperforator 27 of thesame type as utilized in the communication center which produces aninterpreted five channel tape from the information received. Theinterpreted tapes are then run through a tape-to-card converter 28 tocreate cards for each store order. The tape-to-card converter can be ofany suitable type well known to those skilled in the art such as onewhich utilizes IBM cards. Operation of the entire system will bedescribed in detail after we have had an opportunity to describe ourstore ordering machine.

Our store ordering machine is shown in detail in FIG- URES 3, 4 and ofthe drawing and consists of a rectangular box-like framework 31 havingsidewalls 32 and 33, end walls 34 and 36 and a top wall 37.

A sliding table 39 is slidably mounted on the left hand portion of theframework 31 as viewed in FIGURE 3. The sliding table consists of sidepanels 41 and 42 which are held in a fixed relationship by top wall 43and an end wall 44. The side panels 41 and 42 extend below the topsurface of the framework 31. A pair of cross members 46 and 47 aremounted transversely of the sliding table 39 between the side panels 41and 42 and are provided with grooves 48 and 49 which slidably receive amounting block 51 which forms a part of a sliding arm assembly 52. Thesliding table may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic.The sliding table 39 is held in a general position by suitable meanssuch as springs 54 mounted on opposite sides of the sliding table whichhave their upper ends connected to the sliding table and their lowerends connected to the framework 31 as shown.

The sliding table is adapted to be moved between two positions as shownin FIGURE 4, the left hand position as viewed in FIGURE 4 beingdetermined by the stop 57 and the right hand position being determinedby the L-shaped member 58 upon which has been mounted a foam rubbercushioning member 59. A pair of transparent members 62 and 63 ofsuitable material such as Lucite are mounted in the topwall 43 of thesliding table and are adapted to transmit light from the lamp 64 mountedon the top wall of the framework 31 to the arrows 66 and 67 provided onthe top Wall of the sliding table 39.

The sliding assembly arm 52 includes an elongate member or arm 69 whichhas one end pivotally connected to the mounting block 51 by pin 71fastened to parallel vertical spaced portions 51a and 52b of the block51. The portions 51a and 51b form a groove 72 which receives the fixedend of the arm 69. It is readily apparent that the free end of the arm69 can be lifted from on top of the top wall 43 and moved to anout-of-the-way position for a purpose hereinafter described.

Movable contact means consisting of a pair of contact arms 73 and 74 ismounted on the lower surface of the mounting block 51 and is adapted tobe shifted transversely of the framework 31 by movement of the block 51in the grooves 48 and 49 and longitudinally of the framework 31 bymovement of the sliding table 39. As shown in the drawing, the contactarms 73 and 74 are each in the configuration of a U-shaped member andare formed of a suitable conducting material such as copper. The contactarms 73 and 74 are adapted to engage fixed contact means consisting ofrows of readout contacts 76 which may be mounted upon the rectangularframework 31 in any suitable manner. For example, as shown, the contactscan be mounted in a or 24 cans per case.

rectangular plate 77 of suitable insulating material such as plastic.The plate 77 is mounted over a rectangular opening Within the top wall37 of the framework 31. Leads 81 electrically interconnect the contactsand connect them to electrical apparatus as shown in the circuit diagramin FIGURES 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D as hereinafter described.

As shown in the drawing, seven separate rows, rows 82, 83, 84, 86, 87,88 and 89, of contacts are provided each row containing fifty contacts.The distances between rows 87 and 88 and 88 and 89 are equal so thatthey can be engaged by the contact arm 74 in either of two positions asshown in FIGURE 4. The distances between rows 82 and 84 and 83 and 86are also equal so that they can also be engaged by the contact arm 73 ineither of two positions as shown in FIGURE 4. The function of each ofthese rows of contacts is hereinafter described.

Suitable page retaining means is mounted on the sliding table 39 andconsists of plate 92 which is fixed to the left hand side of the slidingtable 39 and which is provided with three upstanding pins 93 which arespaced to receive one or more order guide pages 94 punched on their lefthand margins in the conventional manner. Suitable means is also providedfor retaining the pages 94 on the pins 93 and consists of a pair ofsubstantially U-shaped keeper members 96 which are fixed to a rod 97pivotally carried by mounting posts 98 fixed to the plate 92. Movementof the rod 97 relative to the posts 98 is frictionally restrained sothat the keeper members 96 will remain in any predetermined position.Thus, after the order guide pages have been inserted on the pins 93, thekeeper members 96 may be moved into engagement with the pages to retainthem on the pins 93.

Theorder guide pages may be set up in any desired manner. However, asshown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing the order guide pages are preferablyprovided with equally spaced horizontal lines 101 of the same number aseach row of contacts and which have the same vertical spacing as do thecontacts 76. Vertical columns 102, 103,

104, 106, 107 and 108 are provided on each sheet.

The commodities normally ordered by the stores are placed on order guidepages, the commodities on the different pages being separated accordingto their conventional classification. For example, if the order guidepage shown in the drawing is one which contains fruit juices, thevarious columns are labeled in the following manner. Column 102 is usedto designate the conventional pack of the item involved, e.g. whether 12cans Column 103 is used for the item description and contains the commonname of the item. It may also contain the trademark the item carries.and the size of the can. Column 104 is utilized for the code numbers ofthe items. The code numbers start with 00 in column 104 and end with 49.Each item. is assigned a .numerical code number such as 12 and is placedon the proper line on the order guide page.

Column 106 is utilized for the code numbers of the items appearing inthe description given in the column 107 and column 108 is utilized forthe common pack of the item described in column 107. The code numbers incolumn 106 run from 50 to 99.

Thus, on each order guide page two separate rows or lists of commoditiesappear. The upper edge of the arm 69 is adapted to be moved intoposition immediately below any one of the items listed on the orderguide page. The sliding table 39, as hereinbefore described, is adaptedto be moved to either of two positions as hereinbefore de- 512 67 is litand the apparatus is in a position in which the items coded in column106 may be ordered.

Each of the order guide pages is provided with a page number 109 for apurpose hereinafter described.

The right hand side of the top wall 37 of the rectangular framework 31carries the control panel portion of our store ordering machine. Thecontrol panel portion 116 consists of twelve selector switches 117, 118,119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129 and 131, eleven of which areused for setting up the heading of the order. The selector switches areof any suitable type such as No. 31112] manufactured by Mallory. Asshown, each selector switch is provided with ten contacts numbered fromto 9. Selector switches 117 and 118 are used for setting up the month ofthe year and selector switches 119 and 121 are used for setting up theday of the month. Selector switches 122, 123, 124 and 126 are used forsetting up the number of the store placing the order, selector switch127 is used for setting up the price group, switches 128 and 129 areused for setting up the warehouse number, and switch 131 is used forsetting up the page number of the order guide page.

The control panel is also provided with heading, carriage return (CR),and commodity, push buttons 132, 133 and 134 respectively. These pushbuttons can be of any suitable type such as No. 203 manufactured bySwitchcraft. The control panel is also provided with line feed (LF) anderror, push buttons 136 and 137 respectively. Switch 136 can be of anysuitable type such as catalog No. 1006 manufactured by Switchcraft. Thesame is true for push button 137 which can be a catalog No. 103manufactured by Switchcraft.

Lamps 138, 139, 141 and 142 designated as shown, as mounted on thecontrol panel and can be of any suitable type such as neon glow lampsmanufactured by General Electric and designated by type No. NE-2. Atelephone dialing device 143 of suitable type such as manufactured byWestern Electric is mounted on a raised inclined platform 44 provided onthe framework 31. The telephone dialing device differs slightly from theones commonly manufactured in that the dial reads from 0, 1, 2, 3 to 9rather than from 1 to 9 to 0 for the sole reason that many more 0s aredialed than 9s as hereinafter described. The telephone dialing deviceincludes the dial 146 and the stop 147.

The remainder of theelectrical apparatus comprising the store orderingmachine is mounted within the rectangular framework 31 upon the bottomwall (not shown) of the same. This additional apparatus will bedescribed in connection with the circuit diagram which is shown inFIGURES 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. As shown in FIGURE 6A, the apparatus isconnected to a conventional power supply such as 110 volt 60 cycle A.C.through lines L1 and L2. Line L1 is connected to one side of winding151a of a motor 151 and line L2 is connected to one side of one pole ofa double pole single throw power switch 152. The other side of the samepole of the switch 152 is connected to the other side of the winding151a of the motor 151 through a relay coil 153 by a conductor 154. Alamp 156 is connected between conductor 154 and line L1 and serves toindicate when the power switch 152 is closed and the motor 151 isoperating. Contacts 157 are moved to a closed position by energizationof the relay coil 153 and are connected between conductor 154 andwinding 151b of the motor 151.

The primary of a transformer 161 is connected between the lines L1 andL2. Each side of the secondary of the transformer 161 is connected toparallel rectifiers 162 and 163. The outputs of the rectifiers areconnected together to provide a suitable positive voltage such as 48volts D0 which is applied to a conductor 166. The center tap of thesecondary of the transformer 161 is connected to ground as shown.Conductor 166 is connected to one side of a switch 167 which is normallyclosed when the paper tape is in a proper position in the tape punch 19.

The other side of the switch 167 is connected to one side of one pole ofthe switch 152 and the other side of the same pole is connected to oneside of one pole of switch 169 and the other side of the same pole ofswitch 169 is connected to a solenoid 171 by conductor 172. The otherside of the solenoid 171 is connected to one side of the other pole ofthe switch 169 by a conductor 173 and the other side of the same pole isconnected to ground as shown.

Conductor 172 which carries the positive voltage is connected to oneside of relay coil 174 (FIGURE 6C) by con ductor 175. The other side ofthe relay coil 174 is connected to a voltage dropping resistor 176. Theother side of the voltage dropping resistor 176 is connected to thestationary contact 1 of contacts 177 by conductor 178. The movablecontact 2 of contacts 177 is connected to ground as shown.

Rectifiers 181, 182, 183, 184 and 186 are all connected to conductor inparallel and are connected to punch magnets LPl, LP2, LP3, LP4 and LPSrespectively. The other sides of the magnets are connected in parallelto a conductor 187 which is connected to conductor 173. The punchmagnets LPl, LP2, LP2, LP4 and LPS are also connected to conductors 191,192, 193, 194 and 196 respectively. 1

Conductor 166 is connected to stationary contact 1 of contacts 197 byconductor 198 and movable contact 2 of contacts 197 is connected to thestationary contact 4 of step switch HS by conductor 201. Conductor 198is connected to movable contact 202 of the dialing device 143 byconductor 203.

Line L1 is connected to one side of the relay coil for relay R1 byconductor 206 and L2 is connected to the wiping arm of step switch LS byconductor 208.

As is schematically illustrated in FIGURE 6A, the motor 151 serves todrive a shaft 211 on which is mounted a clutch member 212 which isadapted to be released by a clutch lever 213. Clutch lever 213 is liftedor released by energization of the solenoid 171. A cam 214 and a 285 cam216 are also mounted on the shaft 211 and are adapted to operatecontacts 197 and 177, respectively. A plurality of punch operating cams217 are also mounted on the shaft 211 and are adapted to operate punches218 when the punches are moved into position by their associated magnetsLP1, LP2, LP3, LP4, and LP5.

It is to be understood that the punches, the punch operating cams andthe motor 151 do not actually form a part of our store ordering machinebut are actually part of the tape punch 19 which is located in each ofthe stores and connected to the store ordering machine.

It will be noted that the stepping switch LS is provided with 32terminals in addition to the home terminal on which the wiping armnormally rests. The home terminal is connected to one side of a neonlamp 142 by conductor 222. The other side of the neon lamp 142 isconnected to one side of a voltage dropping resistor 223 by conductor224 and the other side of resistor 223 is connected to conductor 206 byconductor 226. Conductor 226 is connected to one side of a voltagedropping resistor 227 by conductor 228 and the other side of resistor227 is connected to a neon lamp 141. The other side of the neon lamp 141is connected to terminal 28 of switch LS by conductor 229. A belt 231 isconnected in parallel with the resistor 227 and the lamp 141 betweenconductors 228 and 229.

Terminal 29 of switch LS is connected to one side of neon lamp 138 andthe other side of the lamp 138 is connected to conductor 224. Terminal30 of switch LS is connected to one side of lamp 139 and the other sideof lamp 139 is connected to conductor 224. Terminals 31 and 32 of switchLS are interconnected and are connected to one side of relay R1 byconductor 232.

The stationary contact 1 for relay R1 is connected to conductor 203 andthe movable contact 2 of relay R1 is connected to movable contact 2 ofstepping switch LS by conductor 236. The stationary contact 1 of switchLS is connected to the stationary contact 1 of the interrupting contactsfor switch IS by conductor 238 and the movable contact 2 of theinterrupting contacts is connected to one side of stepping coil 239. Theother side of the stepping co-il 239 is connected to ground as shown.The movable contact 2 of the interrupting contacts is also connected toa spark arresting network consisting of a resistor 241 and a capacitor242 connected in series to conductor 203.

Movable contact 4 of switch LS is connected to conductor 246 and thestationary contact 3 of switch LS is connected to conductor 247.Moveable contact 2 of the interrupting contacts for switch LS is alsoconnected to a conductor 248. A conductor 249 is connected to conductor203 and a conductor 251 is connected to the stationary contact 2 or" thepulsing contacts 252 of the telephone dial device 143. The movablecontact 1 of pulsing contacts 252 is connected to a movable contact 253which is adapted to be engaged by an arcuate contact member 254 ashereinafter described. The member 254 normally engages a fixed contact256 which is connected to a conductor 257. A spark arresting networkconsisting of a resistor 258 and a condenser 259 is connected betweenconductor 203 and conductor 251.

The conductor 187 is connected to the movable contact 2 of relay R2 andthe stationary contact 1 of relay R2 is connected to the stationarycontact 3 of relay 174. The movable contact 4 of relay R2 is connectedto ground as shown. One side of the winding of relay R2 is connected toone side of a voltage dropping resistor 266 and the other side of theresistor 266 is connected to conductor 178 by conductor 267. The otherside of the winding of relay 262 is connected to one side of a timedelay condenser 268 by conductor 269 and the other side of the condenser268 is connected to conductor 267. A time delay condenser 271i isconnected between conductor 175 and one side of the resistor 176. Themovable contacts 2 and 4 of relay AR are connected to ground and thestationary contact 1 is connected to a conductor 273. Stationary contact3 of relay AR is connected to stationary contact 1 of relay R2. Theconductor 267 is connected to a conductor 274. Conductor 269 isconnected to a conductor 276 and conductor 175 is connected to conductor277.

Turning now to FIGURE 6D of the circuit diagram, it will be noted thatconductor 201 is connected to movable contact 4 of contacts 3 and 4 ofstep switch HS. Conductor 201 is also connected to stationary contact 3of contacts 3 and 4 of switch CS by conductor 279. Movable contact 4 ofcontacts 3 and 4 for switch CS is connected to one side of the commoditypush button 134 by conductor 281. The other side of the commodity pushbutton 134 is connected to conductor 249. A spark arresting networkconsisting of a resistor 282 and a capacitor 283 are connected in seriesbetween conductors 249 and 281. Conductor 249 is connected to one sideof each of the push buttons 137 and 133 and both poles of the pushbutton 136. The other sides of push buttons 137, 133 and both poles ofpush buttons 136 are connected to conductors 286 and 287, 288 and 289respectively. Conductor 289 is connected to terminal 2 of bank 2 ofswitch CS. Conductor 289 is also connected to conductor 248.

Conductor 273 is connected to movable contact 2 of contacts 1 and 2 ofswitch CS and stationary contact 1 of contacts 1 and 2 of switch CS isconnected to movable contact 2 of contacts 1 and 2 of switch HS.Stationary contact 1 of contacts 1 and 2 of switch HS is connected toconductor 274.

Conductor 246 is connected to one side of the stepping coil 292 forswitch HS and the other side of the stepping coil 292 is connected toground. Conductor 247 is connected to stationary contact 3 of contacts 3and 4 of 8 switch HS. Conductor 281 is connected to stationary contact 1of contacts 1 and 2 of relay R3 by conductor 294. Movable contact 2 ofcontacts 1 and 2 of relay R3 is connected to one side of the step coil296 for minor switch QS by conductor 297. Conductor 297 is connected toground through a capacitor 298. Conductor 297 is also connected toconductor 24-9 through a spark arresting network consisting of aserially connected resistor 299 and a capacitor 381.

Conductor 251 is connected to one side of a stepping coil 302 and theother side of the stepping coil 302 is connected to ground. Conductor257 is connected to the wiping contact for switch QS. Terminals 0 to 9of switch QS are connected to conductors 3116 to 315, respectively.

Conductor 249 is connected to movable contact 2 of interrupting contacts1 and 2 of switch QS by conductor 316 and stationary contact 1 ofinterrupting contacts 1 and 2 is connected to one side of the relay coilR3 by conductor 317. The other side of the relay coil R3 is connected toground. Conductor 249 is also connected to the wiping contact of switchCS by conductor 318. Conductor 318 is connected to the wiping contact ofswitch HS by conductor 319. Conductors 276 and 277 are connected tocontacts 4 and 3, respectively, of relay R3.

Terminals O to 9 of switch HS are connected to conductor 329. Terminals10 and 11 or" the same switch are connected to conductors 321 and 322,respectively. Conductor 321 is connected to conductor 287 and conductor322 is connected to conductor 288. Terminals 12 through 22 of switch HSare connected to conductors 322 to 333 which are connected to the wipersof selector switches 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128and 129, respectively as hereinafter described.

Terminal 23 of switch H5 is connected to conductor 321 by conductor 334and terminal 24 is connected to conductor 322 by conductor 336.Terminals 25 to 29 are interconnected and are connected to stationarycontact 1 ct interrupting contacts 1 and 2 of switch HS by conductor337. Movable contact 2 of the interrupting contacts of switch HS isconnected to conductor 247 by conductor 338. Conductor 247 is connectedto one side of the heading push button 132 by conductor 339 and theother side of the heading push button 132 is connected to conductor 249.A spark arresting network consisting of a serially connected resistor341 and capacitor 342 are connected between conductors 339 and 249.

Terminal 0 of bank 1 of switch CS is connected to conductor 321 byconductor 343. Terminal 1 of the same bank is connected to conductor 322by conductor 344. Terminals 2, 3 and 4 of the same bank are connected toconductors 34-6, 348 and 347, respectively. Terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9of bank lof switch CS are interconnected and are connected to stationarycontact 1 of interrupting contacts 1 and 2 of switch CS by conductor349. Movable contact 2 of interrupting contacts 1 and 2 is connected toone side of the step coil 351 for the relay CS. The other side of thestep coil is connected to ground. Movable contact 2 of the interruptingcontacts 1 and 2 of switch CS is also connected to conductor 281 byconductor 352.

Now turning to the portion of the circuit diagram shown in FIGURE 68, itwill be noted that the rows of contacts 76 designated by the numbers 82,83, 84, 86, 87, 88 and 89 shown in FIGURE 3 are represented by aplurality of bars. As hereinbefore described, each of the rows contains50 contacts spaced equally in a vertical direction. Rows 82 and 83 aredesignated as the units digits rows and are numbered from 0 to 9repeated five times as shown in FIGURE 6B. The same numbered contacts ofeach of the rows 82 and 83 are tied together and are represented by thefifty bars 361 shown in FIG- URE 6B.

Rows 84 and 86 are designated as the units common rows and are all tiedtogether and are represented by the solid bar 362 shown in FIGURE 63.Row 87 is designated as the tens digit row for the tens digits of fromto 9. The contacts in row 87 are connected together in groups ofstarting from the top contact. These 5 groups of 10 contacts each arerepresented by the bars 363 and are numbered from 5 to 9 as shown.

Row 88 is designated as the tens common row. The contacts are allinterconnected and are represented by the bar 364. Row 89 is designatedas the tens digit row for the tens digits of from 0 to 4. The contactsin this row are connected together in the same manner as the contacts inrow 87 and are designated by the bars 366 which are numbered from 0 to 4as shown.

From the circuit diagram it will be noted that the bars 361 areconnected by suitable wiring to the corresponding numbered terminals ofthe page number selector switch 131. The wiping contact of switch 371 isconnected to conductor 346.

Conductor 348 is connected to the tens common bar 364 and conductor 347is connected to the units common bar 362.

It will be noted that the tens digit bars 366 and 363 are connected tothe same numbered bars of the bars 361 in such a manner that the zerotens digit bar is connected to the zero bars which are interconnected tothe bars 361, the one tens digit bar is connected to the one bars of thebars 361, etc.

The network connecting the selector switch 131 tothe units digits bars361 is connected to conductors 380 to 389, conductor 380 being connectedto the conductor which is common to the 0 bars of the bars 361,conductor 381 being connected to the conductor which is common to thenumber 1 bars and so forth. Conductors 306 through 315 from switch QSare connected to conductors 380 through 389, respectively.

As hereinbefore explained, conductors 380 to 389 are also connected to adiode matrix 390. Conductors 191, 192, 193 and 194 are connected toconductors 391, 392, 394 and 396, respectively, which are connected toone side of each of the diodes forming a part of the matrix 390. As canbe seen from FIGURE 6B, conductor 380 is connected to diodes 401, 402and 403. Conductor 381 is connected to diodes 404, 405, 406 and 407,conductor 382 is connected to diodes 408, 409 and 410, conductor 383 isconnected to diode 411, conductor 384 is connected to diodes 412 and413, conductor 385 is connected to diode 414, conductor 386 is connectedto diodes 415, 416 and 417, conductor 387 is connected to diodes 418,419, and 420, conductor 338 is connected to diodes 421 and 422,conductor 389 is connected to diodes 423 and 424. Conductor 321 isconnected to diodes 425, 426, 427 and 428, conductor 287 is connected todiode 429, conductor 288 is connected to diode 430 and conductor 286 isconnected to diodes 431 and 432. The diodes can be of any suitable typesuch as the IN91.

Operation of our store ordering machine in conjunction with our storeordering system may now be briefly described as follows: Let it beassumed that the store manager or the store ordering clerk wishes toprepare the daily grocery and perishable commodity orders for the storein which the store ordering machine is located. Let it also be assumedthat the neon startlamp 142 is glowing on the store ordering machine andthat at least one order guide page 94 has been positioned below thesliding arm 52 on the sliding table 39 as hereinbefore described. Thepower switch 152 on the tape punch 19 is closed and unpunched tape isinserted in the tape punch 19 which closes the tape punch contacts 167.

The first eleven selector switches on the control panel 16 are then set.The month of the year is set up on switches 117 and 118 which, as shown,have been set up for the ninth month. The day of the month is set up onswitches 119 and 121 which, as shown, have been set up for the 24th day.The store number is set up on switches 122, 123, 124 and 126. If thestore num- 10 ber is less than a 4 digit number, the store number ispreceded by Os set up on the selector switches not required. Thus, ifthe store number is 113,-the store number is set up as 0113 as shown inFIGURE 3.

The price group is set up on switch 127. The warehouse number is set upon switches 128 and 129. As shown in FIGURE 3, warehouse number 03 hasbeen selected. The page number of the selected order guide page fromwhich the commodities are to be ordered is set up on switch 131.

The sliding table 39 is then moved to the right or the left to selectthe proper column on the selected order guide page. As hereinbeforedescribed, the selected column is denoted by which of the columnindicating arrows 66 or 67 is lit. The sliding arm 69 is then moved upor down the order guide page 94 until the desired commodity appearsdirectly above the arm. The setting of switch 131 and the selection ofthe order guide page and the first commodity on the order guide page canbe delayed until after the heading has been punched on the tape ashereinafter described.

After the first eleven selector switches on the control panel 116 havebeen set, the heading push button 132 may be depressed and releasedwhich causes all of the information on the selector switches except thepage number selector switch to be punched on 5 channel tape by the tapepunch 19 as hereinafter described.

Closing of the heading push button 132 energizes the step coil 292 forstep switch HS. This circuit is completed from rectifiers 162 and 163,which produce a positive DJC. voltage which in this case is 48 voltsD.C. through conductor 166, conductor 198, conductor 203, conductor 249,through the heading push button 132, conductor 339, conductor 247,through contacts 3 and 4 of switch LS, contacts 3 and 4 being closedsince the switch LS is in a home position, through conductor 246 to stepcoil 292 to ground and the negative side of the rectifiers 162 and 163.

Nothing occurs at the time the step coil 292 is energized because switchHS is of the type which is stepped when the step coil is deenergized. Assoon as the step coil 292 is deenergized upon release of heading pushbutton 132, step switch H5 is advanced to the first terminal 0 from itshome position. Advancement of the stepping switch HS to the first orzero terminal causes a figures character to be punched in the tape bytape punch 19. The circuit is completed from the positive voltage onconductor 203 through conductor 249, conductor 318, conductor 319, thewiping arm of switch HS, terminal 0 of switch HS, conductor 320, throughthe portion of the diode matrix 390 consisting of diodes 425, 426, 427and 428 which cause energization of punch magnets LP1, LP2, LP4, andLPS.

The circuits for the punch magnets are identical and only one circuitwill be traced. For example, the circuit for energization of punchmagnet LP1 is completed from the diode 425 through conductor 391 toconductor 191 through the punch magnet LP1, conductor 187, throughnormally closed contacts 1 and 2 of relay R2, normally closed contacts 3and 4 of relay AR to ground.

The diode matrix 390 is a decimal to five channel Teletype converterwell known to those skilled in the art. Thus, whenever a positivevoltage is applied to diodes 425, 426, 427 and 428, simultaneously afigures character is punched on the tape in a manner well known to thoseskilled in the art.

The diodes 181, 182, 183, 184 and 186 associated with the punch magnetsLP1 through LP5 serve to prevent feedback and thus serve to preventenergization of those punch magnets which are not intended to beenergized.

As soon as the switch HS is moved from its home posi tion, its contacts3 and 4 are closed to provide a DC. path around the heading push button132 through contacts 177 associated with the 180 cam. At the time pulsesare received by the punch magnets, the solenoid 171 is energized towithdraw the clutch lever 13 to permit rotation of the shaft 211. Thesolenoid 171 is energized by the same pulses which actuate the punchmagnets and the current flows through one or more of the diodes 181,182, 183, 184 and 186 depending upon which punch magnets are energized.The circuit for the solenoid is completed from the diodes through whichthe current flows through conductor 175, solenoid 171, conductor 173 andto ground over 187 in the same manner as the pulses passing through thepunch magnets pass to ground.

As soon as the clutch lever 213 is lifted to release the clutch 212, theshaft 211 is rotated by the motor 151. The 180 cam 214 is so mounted onthe shaft 211 that its contacts 1 and 2 are closed after approximately20 of rotation of the shaft 211 from its home position. Closing of thecontacts 1 and 2 for the 180 cam energizes the step coil 292 for stepswitch HS. This circuit is completed from the positive DC. voltage onconductor 166 through conductor 198, contacts 1 and 2 of the 180 cam,conductor 201, contacts 3 and 4 of switch HS, conductor 247, contacts 3and 4 of step switch HS, conductor 246, step coil 292 to ground.However, as hereinbefore explained, nothing occurs upon energization ofthe step coil 292.

Continued rotation of the shaft 211 causes the cams 217 to move thepunches 218 which have been raised by the associated punch magnets toperforate the tape in the tape punch.

As the rotation continues, contacts 177 associated with the 285 cam 216are closed which energize an antirepeat circuit which prevents the tapepunch from making more than one set of perforations for each set ofpulses received. Specifically, the closing of contacts 177 energizerelay AR opening its contacts 3 and 4 which de-energize the circuits forthe punch magnet and the clutch solenoid 171. The circuit for energizingrelay AR is completed from the positive voltage which appears onconductor 175 through the winding of relay AR, resistor 176, conductor178, contacts 177 of the 285 contacts to ground.

As described previously, as soon as relay AR is energized, contacts 3and 4 of relay AR are opened de-energizing the solenoid 171 whichpermits the clutch member 213 to drop into position before the clutch212 has had an opportunity to make a complete revolution and to stop theclutch when it has made one revolution. Thus, relay AR prevents theshaft 211 from rotating more than one revolution for each set of pulsesreceived by the punch magnets. Condenser 270 placed across the windingof the relay AR provides a time delay and insures that the relay AR willbe energized for a sufficient interval of time to cause de-energizationof the clutch solenoid 171. l

During each revolution of the shaft 211, the contacts 197 of the 180 camare opened which cause de-energization of the stepping coil 292 for stepswitch HS to advance step switch HS to the next terminal.

Since terminals to 9 of step switch HS are connected to the figuresdiode configuration consisting of diodes 425, 426, 427 and 428, thefigures character will be punched in the tape by the tape punch 19 foreach step the switch is advanced until terminal 10 is reached. Upon eachstep, the same sequence of steps will take place as hereinbeforedescribed the shaft 211 making only one revolution for each step theswitch HS is advanced. Thus, figures characters will be punched tentimes into the tape. This is done to give a leader on the tape whichfacilitates feeding the tape into the tape transmitter 21, ashereinafter described.

When the stepping switch HS is advanced to the next terminal which isterminal 10, the wiping arm of stepping switch HS is connected toconductor 321 which is connected to conductor 287. Conductor 287 isconnected to the diode 429 which is the diode configuration for aCarriage Return character on a conventional Teletype system. TheCarriage Return character will be punched on the tape produced by thetape punch 19 in a manner very similar to that hereinbefore describedfor the punching of figures characters on the tape except that thecircuit will be completed through diode 429.

After the Carriage Return character has been punched on the tape, thestepping switch HS will be advanced to the next terminal which isterminal 11 which is connected to conductor 322. Conductor 322 isconnected to conductor 288 and conductor 288 is connected to the diode430 which is the diode configuration for producing a Line Feed characterin a conventional Teletype system. Thus, when the wiper arm is advancedto terminal 11, a Line Feed character is punched on the tape in a mannersimilar to that hereinbefore described for the Carriage Return and thefigures characters.

After the Line Feed character has been punched on the tape by the tapepunch 19, the stepping switch HS is advanced to the next terminal whichis terminal 12. Terminal 12 is connected to conductor 323 and ashereinbefore described, conductor 323 is connected to the wiper of thefirst selector switch 117. As also hereinbefore described, the terminals0 to 9 of each of the first eleven selector switches are interconnectedand are connected to the proper terminal of the diode matrix 390 in thesame manner as is the twelfth selector switch 131.

Thus, when the step switch HS is advanced to terminal 12, a 0 digit willbe punched on the tape because the selector switch 117 has been set on0. The circuit to the punch magnet will be completed through the diodesconnected to conductor 380 in a manner similar to that hereinbeforedescribed. After the 0 digit has been punched on the tape, the stepswitch HS is advanced to the next terminal which is terminal 13 which isconnected to conductor 324. Conductor 324, as hereinbefore described, isconnected to the wiper of the selector switch 118. Since the selectorswitch 118 is set on the digit 9, the digit 9 will be punched on thetape.

The stepping switch HS is advanced to the next terminal and thisprocedure continues until the stepping switch HS has been advanced toterminal 23. By this time the settings on the first eleven selectorswitches 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128 and 129 willhave been punched on the tape. Thus, the information relating to themonths of the year, day of the month, the

store number, the price group and the warehouse num' her will have beenpunched on the tape.

When the wiping arm of the stepping switch HS is advanced to terminal23, a Carriage Return will be punched on the tape because terminal 3 isconnected to conductor 321 by conductor 334. As described previously,conductor 321 is connected to the terminal of the diode matrix whichcauses a Carriage Return to be punched on the tape. The stepping switchHS is next advanced to terminal 4 which causes a Line Feed to be punchedon the tape.

The stepping switch HS is then advanced to terminal 25 and rapidlyreturns to its home position. The homing circuit is completed from thepositive voltage on conductor 166 through conductor 198, conductor 203,conductor 249, conductor 318, conductor 319, the wiper arm of steppingswitch HS, terminal 25, conductor 337, interrupting contacts 1 and 2 ofswitch HS, conductor 338, conductor 247, normally closed contacts 3 and4 of step switch LS, conductor 246, the winding of step coil 292 toground.

Energization of the homing circuit causes energization of the step coil292 and opens interrupting contacts 1 and 2, Opening of interruptingcontacts 1 and 2 deenergizes step coil 292 to advance the steppingswitch HS to the next terminal which again causes energization of thestep coil 292 and so forth to return the step switch to its homeposition.

This completes what may be termed the heading oper ation which causesthe store ordering machine to automatically punch the heading on thetape upon operation of the heading push button 132.

After this heading operation has been completed, the twelfth selectorswitch or selector switch 131 is set for the page number which appearson the order guide page 94 resting on the sliding table 39 and fromwhich the operator intends to order commodities. The sliding table 39 isshifted to the desired position so that the proper column indicatingarrow 66 or 67 is lit. The sliding arm 52 is moved to a position so thatthe upper edge of the arm 69 immediately underlines the commodity to beordered.

After the sliding arm 52 has been properly positioned and switch 131set, the commodity push button 134 is pressed and released. Closing ofthe commodity push button 134 energizes the step coil 351 for relay CS.This circuit is completed from the positive voltage which is on theconductor 249 as hereinbefore described through the commodity pushbutton 134, conductor 281, conductor 352, the winding of step coil 351to ground. Upon release of the commodity push button 134, the step coil351 is deenergized and the wiping contacts of the stepping switch CS areadvanced to the terminals of banks numbered 1 and 2 of the steppingswitch.

Terminal 0 of bank 1 of switch CS is connected to conductor 343 which isconnected toconductor 287. As hereinbefore explained, conductor 287 isconnected to the Carriage Return terminal of the diode matrix 390. Thus,as soon as the wiping contact of the stepping switch is advanced to the0 terminal a Carriage Return is punched on the tape in a manner similarto that hereinbefore described. The voltage is applied to the conductor287 from conductor 249 through conductor 318, the wiping contact ofswitch CS to terminal 0 of bank number 1 of switch CS, conductor 343 toconductor 287 and so forth, as hereinbefore described.

During the punching of the Carriage Return on the tape, contacts 1 and 2of the 180 cam 214 are closed to cause energization of the step coil351. This circuit is completed from the positive DC. voltage onconductor 166 through conductor 198, contacts 1 and 2 of the contacts177 associated with the 180 cam, conductor 201, conductor 247, conductor290, contacts 3 and 4 of step switch CS (closed when the step switch CSmoves from its home position), conductor 281, conductor 352, step coil351 to ground.

As soon as the 180 cam contacts 177 are opened, step coil 351 isdeenergized causing the step switch CS to be advanced to the nextterminalwhich in this case is terminal 1.

Terminal 1 of bank 1 of switch CS is connected to conductor 344 which isconnected to conductor 322.. As hereinbefore explained, conductor 322 isconnected to the Line Feed terminal of the diode matrix 390. Thus, uponadvancement of the switch CS to terminal 1, a Line Feed is automaticallypunched on the tape.

After causing punching of the Line Feed, the step switch CS is advancedto terminal 2. Terminal 2 of bank 1 of switch CS is connected toconductor 346 and 'conductor 346 is connected to the wiping arm of thepage number selecting switch 131. The wiping arm of the selector switch131 has been positioned on terminal 7. Terminal 7 is connected toconductor 387 which is connected to the seven digit of the diode matrix390. The number 7 is, therefore punched into the tape at this time bythe tape punch 19 through a circuit similar to that hereinbeforedescribed and serves to indicate the number of the selected order guidepage 94 being used on the sliding table.

At the same time a positive voltage is applied to terminal 2 of bank 1of switch CS, a positive pulse or voltage is applied to terminal 2 ofbank 2 of switch CS which causes the stepping switch LS to be advancedfrom its home position to terminal 1.

The circuit for energizing the step coil 239 of switch LS is completedfrom the positive voltage on conductor 166 through conductor 198,conductor 203, conductor 249, conductor 318, the wiper for bank 2 ofstep switch CS, terminal 2 of bank 2 of switch CS, conductor 289,conductor 248, through the winding of the step coil 239 to ground.

The step switch LS, however, is not advanced to terminal 1 until thestep coil 239 is deenergized by stepping of the stepping switch CS fromterminal 2 to terminal 3 when the cam closes its contacts 1 and 2 toadvance the step switch CS.

Upon advancement of the step switch CS to terminal 3, the tens digit ofthe commodity code of the selected commodity is punched on the tape. Forexample, if the sliding table 39 and the sliding arm 52 are in theposition shown in FIGURE 3, the sliding arm will be immediately beneaththe commodity which has been assigned code number 12 in column 104. Thecontact arms 73 and 74 will be positioned as shown in dotted lines inFIG- URE 6B.

With the contact arm 74 positioned as shown, the number 1 will bepunched on the tape for the tens digit when the step switch CS isadvanced to terminal 3. The circuit is completed from the positivevoltage on conductor 166 through conductor 198, conductor 203, conductor249, conductor 318, the wiping contact of bank 1 of switch CS, terminal3 of switch CS, conductor 348, the tens common bar 364, the contact arm74, the number 1 bar of the tens digit bars 366 to conductor 381 and tothe number 1 digit terminal of the diode matrix 390 to operate the punchmagnets connected to diodes 404, 405, 406 and 407 in a manner ashereinbefore described.

During punching of the number 1 digit, the contacts 177 associated withthe 180 cam are closed to advance the step switch CS to the nextterminal which in this case is terminal 4. This causes the units digitsof the commodity code of the selected commodity to be punched on thetape. The circuit is completed from the positive voltage on conductor166 to the wiper arm of switch CS in a manner hereinbefore described toterminal 4 of bank 1 of switch CS, conductor 347 to the units common bar362, contact arm 73 to the number 2 bar of the second group of unitdigits bars 361 to conductor 382 to the number 2 digit terminal of thediode matrix 390 and through circuitry similar to that hereinbeforedescribed to operate the proper punch magnets to punch the digit 2 inthe tape.

Step switch CS is next advanced to terminal 5 and then rapidly steps toits home position. The circuit for completing this stepping operation iscompleted from the positive voltage on the wiping contact of bank 1 ofstep switch CS to terminal 5 of bank 1 to conductor 349, interruptingcontacts 1 and 2 of switch CS, to the winding of the step coil 351 toground. As soon as the step coil 351 is energized, interrupting contacts1 and 2 are opened to deenergize the step coil to advance the stepswitch to the next terminal and to cause re-energization of the stepcoil 351. This continues until the step switch CS has returned to itshome position. This completes the punching of the commodity code of theselected commodity on the tape.

The quantity of the selected commodity is now punched on the tape. Letit be assumed that it is desired to order 50 units of the conventionalpack of the selected commodity. The proper tens digits number isselected on the dial 146 of the device 143 and the dial is rotated in aclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 6C until the stop 147 isengaged. When the dial 146 is first moved, arcuate contact 254disengages contact 256 and engages contact 253. This causes energizationof the step coil 302 for minor switch QS. The circuit is completed fromthe positive voltage on the conductor 166 through conductor 198,conductor 203, contact 202, contact 254, contact 253, contacts 252,conductor 251, the winding of step coil 302 to ground.

Switch QS is of the type which is advanced upon energization of its stepcoil and for that reason when the step coil 302 is first energized, thewiping contact of switch QS is advanced to the terminal.

When the dial 146 for the dial switch 143 is released, the pulsingcontacts 252 are opened and closed one time for each number passed in amanner well known to those skilled in the art. Each opening and closingof the pulsing contacts 252 causes energization of the step coil 302 toadvance the switch QS to the next terminal in a manner very similar tothe manner in which the stepping coil 302 was first energized. Since thetens digit was selected on the dial, the stepping switch QS is advancedto the number 5 terminal.

As soon as the dial of the dialing device 143 has returned to its homeposition, the number selected on the stepping switch QS will be punchedon the tape by thetape punch 19. The circuit is completed from thepositive voltage on conductor 203 through contact 202, contact member254, contact 256, conductor 257, the wiping arm of switch QS, terminal 5of switch QS, conductor 311 to conductor 385 to terminal 5 of the diodematrix 390, to the diode 414 to actuate the proper punch magnet in amanner similar to that hereinbefore described.

During punching of the digit five contacts 1 and 2 of the 180 cam areclosed to return step switch QS to its home position. Step switch QS isreturned to its home position in a manner well known to those skilled inthe art by energization of the coil 296 which withdraws a catch as showndiagrammatically to permit the wiper to return to its home position. Thecircuit for energizing the solenoid 296 is completed from the positivevoltage on conductor 166 through conductor 198, contacts 1 and 2 of the180 cam, conductor 201, conductor 247, conductor 294 to closed contacts1 and 2 of relay R3, conductor 297 through the winding of the solenoidor coil 296 to ground.

Contacts 1 and 2 of relay R3 are closed at the time the step switch QSis moved from its home position. The circuit for energizing relay R3 iscompleted from the positive voltage on conductor 249 to conductor 316contacts 1 and 2 of switch QS (closed when switch QS moves from its homeposition), conductor 317 through the winding of relay .R3 to ground.

Energization of relay R3 also closes the contacts 3 and 4 which energizethe anti-repeat circuit during the dialing operation. Closing of thesecontacts 3 and 4 prepares a circuit for energizing relay R2 whencontacts 177 associated with the 285 cam are closed. The circuit forenergizing relay R2 is completed from the positive voltage, whichappears on conductor 175 upon punching the tens digit five throughconductor 277, contacts 3 and 4 of relay R3, conductor 276, conductor269, the winding of relay R2, resistor 266, conductor 267, conductor178, contacts 177, to ground. As soon as relay R2 is energized itscontacts l and 2 are opened de-energizing the solenoid 171 to releasethe clutch member 213 as hereinbefore described.

Relay R2 is de-energized as soon as contacts 177 are opened by the 285cam. However, the time delay con denser 268 insures that the relay R2 isenergized for a period of time to permit de-energization of the solenoid171.

The apparatus is now in condition for dialing of the second or unitsdigits number which in this case is 0. After the dial 146 is rotated ina clockwise direction from the zero position to the stop 147 and whenthe dial 146 returns to its home position, the step switch QS isadvanced from its home position to the 0 position in a manner similar tothat hereinbefore described. When step switch QS is advanced from itshome position its normally open contacts 1 and 2 are closed to energizerelay R3.

When the dial 146 is released and returns to its home position from thezero selection the pulsing contacts 252 are not operated because of thelimited travel of the 16 dial and therefore the wiping contacts ofswitch QS remains in the 0 position.

At the moment the dial returns to its home position, a circuit iscompleted through the dial contact member 254 in a manner similar tothat hereinbefore described, through conductor 257, the wiping contactof switch QS, the 0 terminal of switch QS, conductor 306, to conductor380 and to 0 digit terminal of the diode matrix 390 to operate theproper punch magnets in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described.

Upon closing of the contacts 1 and 2 of the 180 cam, the solenoid 296 isagain energized and returns the switch QS to its home position. Uponclosing of the contacts 177 of the 285" cam relay R2 is energized tode-energize the solenoid 171 as hereinbefore described. This completesdialing of the quantity of the commodity.

If it is desired to dial more than of a selected commodity, a series of99s are dialed first and then the difference is dialed. For example, if200 units of a certain commodity are desired, the numbers 99 are firstdialed, then another 99, and then a 02.

This completes the punching of the tape for the first commodityselected. The sliding table and the sliding arm are both placed in theproper position to select the second commodity desired. The commoditypush button 134 is pressed and released to start a sequence ofoperations similar to that hereinbefore described to punch the pagenumber and the commodity code of the selected commodity. The desiredquantity is then dialed with the dialing device 143.

It should he pointed out that the start lamp 142 will go out when thestepping switch LS moves from its home position. This is because theenergizing circuit for the start lamp 142 is interrupted by movement ofthe wiper on the switch LS from its home position. As is apparent fromthe circuit diagram, the circuit for the start lamp 142 is normallycompleted from the volt supply through conductor 208, the Wiper ofswitch LS through the home terminal of switch LS, conductor 222, lamp142, conductor 224, resistor 223, conductor 206 to the other side of the110 volt supply.

When a new order guide page is required, the sliding arm 69 is liftedand the desired page is turned up. It must be remembered that each timethe order guide page is changed, the new page number must be set up onthe twelfth selector switch 131. In the case of orders where the page ischanged from the range of O9 to 10 or from 10 to 19 to 20 to 29, andetc., it is also necessary to reset the eleventh selector switch 129.The numbers have been assigned to the warehouses and the pages so thatthe last digit of the warehouse number is the ends digit of the pagenumber. When the setting of the eleventh selector switch 129 is changed,it is necessary to start a new Teletype page by positioning to start andentering a new heading.

It will be noted that each time a commodity code is punched on the tape,the stepping switch LS is advanced one terminal. This continues untilthe 28th commodity code has been punched on the tape. The entry of the28th commodity code completes a Teletype page as hereinafter described.

When the stepping switch LS is advanced to terminal 28, the bell 231 isenergized and the lamp 141 is lit which signifies that the last line hasbeen reached. The circuit for energizing the lamp 141 and the bell 231is completed from the 110 voltsupply through conductor 20%, the wipingcontact of switch LS, terminal 28, conductor 229, lamp 141, throughvoltage dropping resistor 227, conductor 22%, conductor 206 to the otherside of the 110 volt supply. The bell 231 is connected in parallel withthe lamp 141 and series resistor and is energized at the same time. 7

When the bell 231 starts ringing and the lamp 141 is lit, the carriagereturn button 134 is first depressed and released and then the line feedbutton 136 is depressed 17 and released. Closing of the carriage returnpush button 133 causes a positive pulse to be applied to the carriagereturn terminal of the diode matrix 390 to cause a Carriage Returncharacter to be punched on the tape in a manner similar to thathereinbefore described.

Pressing of the line feed push button 136 causes a positive pulse to beapplied to the line feed terminal of the diode matrix 390 in a mannersimilar to that hereinbefore described. The circuit is completed throughthe upper contacts of the line feed push button 136.

Closing of the bottom contacts of the line feed push button 136 causesenergization of the step coil 239 of the step switch LS. This circuit iscompleted from the positive voltage on conductor 249 through the lowerterminals of the push button 136, conductor 289, conductor 248, to thewinding of the step coil 239 to ground.

As soon as the line feed push button is released, the step coil 239 isde-energized causing the step switch LS to be moved to the next terminalwhich is terminal 29. This causes lighting of the line feed lamp (LP) 38which indicates that the line feed push button should be depressedagain. The line feed push button is then depressed a second time whichcauses a'Line Feed character to be punched onto the tape. The steppingswitch is again advanced to the next terminal which is terminal 30. Thiscauses energization of the line feed lamp (LP) 39 and indicates that theline feed push button should be depressed a third time. Depressing theline feed button the third time causes another line feed to be punchedonto the tape and movement of the step switch LS to terminal 31 to causeenergization of relay R1.

Energization of relay R1 causes homing of step switch LS. This circuitis completed from the positive voltage on conductor 203 through closedcontacts 1 and 2 of relay R1, conductor 236, contacts 1 and 2 of stepswitch LS (open at home but closed since step switch LS is not in itshome position), conductor 238, interrupting contacts 1 and 2 of stepswitch LS, the winding of step coil 239 to ground.

Energization of the stepping coil 239 causes its interrupting contacts 1and 2 to be opened. Opening of the interrupting contacts de-energizesthe coil 239 and causes stepping switch LS to be advanced to the nextterminal to again re-energize'the step coil 239. This sequence of stepscontinues until the stepping switch LS has stepped to its home position.When the step switch LS has been returned to its home position, thestart lamp 142 will glow which indicates that the store ordering machineis ready to start a new Teletype page.

The hereinbefore described series of Line Feeds serves to bring the nextTeletype page into position in the page printer as hereinafterdescribed. The heading is then automatically entered on the new page byoperating the heading push button 132. The same sequence of steps isthen taken in ordering commodities as hereinbefore described.

If a commodity is ordered from a different warehouse, a new Teletypepage must be. started. To bring a new Teletype page into position theline feed push button is actuated until the stepping switch LS isadvanced to terminal 28 and then the same sequence of steps is performedas hereinbefore described.

If an error is made in ordering a commodity, the push button 137 isdepressed which causes a positive pulse to be applied to the errorterminal of the diode matrix 390 which causes an error character to bepunched on the tape.

After the order has been completed by use of the store ordering machine,the tape produced by the tape punch 19 is fed out of the tape punch 19by closing the tape feed switch 169. As is readily apparent from thecircuit diagram, closing of switch 169 energizes the clutch solenoid 171to permit the tape to be advanced through the tape punch 19.

After sulficient tape has been advanced, switch 169 18 is opened and thetape is torn off and inserted into the tape transmitter 21.

The tape transmitter 21 as is well known to those skilled in the art,generates a plurality of pulses in the form of marks and spaces whichare sent over the electrical circuit 13 to the typing reperforator 23 atthe communications center. At the same time a page copy is produced atthe store by the page printer 22.

The typing reperforator at the communications center produces a tapesimilar to that inserted in the tape transmitter 21 except that it ischadless and inerpreted as is well known to those skilled in the art.The five chan nel tapes produced by all of the typing reperforators atthe communications center are torn into separate sections so that eachsection contains only orders for a single warehouse. All of the tapesfor one warehouse are fed through the automatic transmitter 24 connectedto the warehouse for which the orders on the tapes are intended.

The automatic transmitter sends a plurality of pulses in the form ofmarks and spaces to the selected warehouse where the marks and spacesare received by the page printer 26 to produce multiple copies of theorder. An example of the type of order which is produced by the pageprinter 26 is shown in FIGURE 7. From this figure it can be seen thatthe month of the year, the day of the month, the store number, the pricegroup and the warehouse number are printed on one line. The first twonumbers of the heading designate the month of the year, the second twonumbers designate the day of the month, the second four numbersdesignate the store number, the next number designates the price groupand the last two numbers designate the warehouse number.

The page printer then receives a carriage return and two line feeds toput it in position to receive the first typing line. On each line isprinted the page number from which the commodity is selected, the codenumber of the selected commodity and the quantity ordered. As forexample, as shown in FIGURE 7, the first number designates the pagenumber selected, the second two numbers designate the code number of thecommodity selected and the last two numbers designate the quantityordered.

As many copies as desired can be produced by the page printer 26. Forexample, a three copy form can be utilized in which one copy goes to thestore with the order when the order is shipped, one copy goes to theaccounting or billing department and one copy stays in the warehousewhich ships the order.

At the same time that the order is being transmitted to the warehouse,the order is received on a typing reperforator 27 in the billing center.One reperforator is required for each warehouse. The typing reperfora-.tor produces an interrupted five channel punched tape as is well knownto those skilled in the art. After the order has been completed, thetape is removed from the typing reperforator and fed into thetape-to-card converter 28 which makes up IBM cards for billing,inventory records and accounting uses.

It is apparent from the foregoing that we have provided a novel storeordering system and apparatus which greatly facilitates the ordering ofcommodies by the stores and shipment of the commodities to the stores.The system and apparatus is particularly advantageous in connection withthe ordering and delivery of perishable food. The system will enablebuyers for all of the stores to expedite movement of a vast quantity ofperishables which daily move through each of the stores. When additionalerishables or commodities are required, the store manager need merelyprepare the order on the store ordering machine, place the tape in thetrans mitter and shortly thereafter his order will be on the way. Thefoods obtained by the store in this manner are much fresher because theyare only hours off of the refrigerated warehouse floors. If there aresudden changes in 15% the weather which will increase the demand, theorders can be revised upwardly with very little trouble.

By utilizing such a system, the store managers can place their orderseach day Within a few minutes which makes possible a tremendous savingof time.

The system used for ordering perishables and other commodities, byaddition of very little conventional Teletype equipment can be used fortransmitting plans, letters, forms and the like to the individualstores. The system can also be utilized for transmitting to the storesall price guide pages and price adjustment forms.

\Ve claim:

1. In a store ordering apparatus of the type adapted to indicate acommodity ordered by generated pulses, the store ordering apparatuscomprising order guide means having listed thereon a plurality ofcommodities in a predetermined arrangement, an arm [movable], means formounting said arm to permit movement of said arm over said order guidemeans [and adapted to be positioned] to select one of the commodieslisted on said order guide means, fixed contact means arranged in apredetermined manner in accordance with the positioning of thecommodities listed on the order guide means, movable contact meanscarried by the arm and adapted to engage said fixed contact means andcircuit means including starting means connected to said fixed contactsfor automatically generating pulses identifying the commodity selectedby the movable arm after operation of said starting means.

2. A store ordering apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said commodities arelisted on said order guide means in at least two rows and wherein saidarm may be positioned to select a commodity listed in any row.

3. A store ordering apparatus as in claim 1 together with means forgenerating pulses identifying the store placing the order.

4. In a store ordering apparatus of the type adapted to indicate acommodity ordered by generated pulses, the store ordering apparatuscomprising an order guide page having listed thereon a plurality ofcommodities in a predetermined arrangement, means for carrying saidorder guide page in a predetermined position, an arm, means for mountingsaid arm to permit movement of said arm [movable] over said page [andadapted to be positioned] to select one of the commodities listed onsaid page, contact means fixed relative to the order guide page andarranged in a predetermined manner in accordance with the positioning ofthe commodities listed on the order guide page, movable contact meanscarried by said arm and adapted to engage the fixed contact means, andcircuit means including starting means connected to the fixed contacts,said circuit means upon operation of said starting means automaticallygenerating a series of pulses identifying the commodity selected by thearm.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 together with means connected to said circuitmeans for generating pulses determining the quantity of the selectedcommodity desired.

6. A store ordering apparatus as in claim 5 together with additionalcircuit means including starting means for automatically generating aseries of pulses identifying the store placing the order, and the dateof placement of the order upon operation of the starting means connectedto said additioal circuit means.

7. In a store ordering apparatus of the type adapted to indicateinformation upon a punched teletypwriter tape, the store orderingapparatus comprising an order guide page having listted thereon aplurality of commodit'ies in a predetermined arrangement, each of thecommodities having a code number of the decimal system assigned thereto,frame means for detachably carrying said order guide page in apredetermined position, an arm mounted on said frame means and movableover said order guide page and adapted to be positioned to select one ofthe commodities listed on said order guide pages, fixed contact meanscarried by said frame means and arranged in a predetermined manner inaccordance with the positioning of the commodities listed on the orderguide page, movable contact means carried by the arm and adapted toengage said fixed contact means, punch operating means adapted to punchsaid tape, decimal to teletypewriter code converting means connected tosaid punch operating means, and circuit means including starting meansconnected to said fixed contacts and to said converting means wherebyupon operation of said starting means, the code number of the commodityselected will be automatically punched onto said tape.

8. Store ordering apparatus as in claim 7 together with means includinga dialing device connected to said circuit means whereby upon operationof said dialing device the desired quantity of the selected commodity isautomatically punched onto the tape.

9. Store ordering apparatus as in claim 7 together with means includingstarting means and a plurality of selector switches having wipersconnected to said circuit means whereby upon operation of said lastnamed starting means the Wiper positions of said selector switches willbe automatically punched on said tape.

10. In a store ordering apparatus of the type adapted to indicateinformation upon a punched teletypewriter tape, the store orderingapparatus comprising an order guide page having listed thereon aplurality of commodities in a predetermined arrangement in two or morerows, each of the commodities listed thereon having a code number of thedecimal system assigned thereto, a sliding table for carrying said orderguide page in a predetermined position, a framework serving to mountsaid sliding table, an arm mounted on said sliding table and movableover said order guide page and adapted to be positioned to select one ofthe commodities listed on said order guide page, fixed contact meanscarried by said framework and arranged in a predetermined manner inaccordance with the positioning of the commodities listed on the orderguide page, movable contact means carried by the arm and adapted toengage said fixed contact means, said sliding table being adapted to bepositioned to permit selection of a commodity from any of said rows bysaid arm, punch operating means adapted to punch tape, decimal toteletypewriter code converting means connected to said punch operatingmeans, and circuit means including starting means connected to saidfixed contacts and to said decimal to teletype converting means wherebyupon operation of said starting means, the code number of the commodityselected by the arm will be punched onto said tape.

11. Store ordering apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said sliding tableis movable in one direction with respect to said framework and said armis movable in a d rection with respect to said sliding table at rightangles to the direction of movement of said sliding table with respectto said framework.

1 2. In a store ordering apparatus of the type adapted to indicatea'commodity ordered by an electrical signal, the store orderingapparatus comprising order guide means having listed thereon a pluralityof commodities in a predetermined arrangement, an arm, means formounting said arm to permit movement of said arm over said order guidemeans to select one of the commodities listed on said order guide means,fixed contact means arranged in a predetermined manner in accordancewith the positioning of the commodities listed on the order guide means,movable contact means carried by the arm and adapted to engage saidfixed contact means, and circuit means including starting meansconnected to one of said contact means for generating electrical signalsidentifying the commodity selected by the movable arm after operation ofsaid starting means.

13. Store ordering apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said commodities arelisted on said order guide means in at least two rows and wherein saidarm is adapted to be positioned to select a commodity listed in any row.

14. Store ordering apparatus of the type adapted to indicate a commodityordered by electrical signals, the store ordering apparatus comprisingan order guide page having listed thereon a plurality of commodities ina predetermined arrangement, means for carrying said order guide page ina predetermined position, an arm, means for mounting said arm to permitmovement of said arm over said page to select one of the commoditieslisted on said page, contact means fixed relative to the order guidepage and arranged in a predetermined manner in accordance with thepositioning of the commodities listed on the order guide page, movablecontact means carried by said arm and adapted to engage the fixedcontact means, and circuit means including starting means connected toone of said contact means, said circuit means upon operation of saidstarting means generating electrical signals identifying the commodityselected by the arm.

15. In apparatus of the character described, means having listed thereona plurality of commodities in a predetermined arrangement, an arm, meansfor mounting said arm to permit movement of said arm to select one ofthe commodities listed on said means, fixed contact means duceselectrical signals representing the commodity selected by the movablearm.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 730,858 Armstrong June 16, 1903 1,974,191 Nelsonet al Sept. 18, 1934 2,135,377 Dirkes et a1 Nov. 1, 1938 2,264,052Quinby Nov. 25, 1941 2,317,995 Krum May 4, 1943 2,433,362 Hartley et alDec. 30, 1947 2,472,885 Colman June 14, 1949 2,716,155 Smith et a1. Aug.23, 1955

